Moepeng Meshack, Singh Shajila, Ramma Lebogang
Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Audiology Department, Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana.
Int J Audiol. 2024 Aug 29:1-8. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2024.2396521.
To assess the feasibility of implementing a school entry hearing screening programme in the South-East District, Botswana.
A feasibility study design was used. Trained screeners conducted smartphone-based pure tone audiometry screening at 25 dB HL, at 1, 2, and 4 kHz using calibrated headphones. Learners with "refer" results after an immediate rescreen were referred and scheduled for diagnostic hearing assessment at the local hospital. Attendance at diagnostic appointments was encouraged through multiple contacts with the families.
The study participants were 403 Grade 1 learners from eight public primary schools.
The overall referral rate for diagnostic hearing assessment was 4.7%, with a referral uptake rate of 90%. The sensitivity and specificity of the hearing screening protocol were 93.3% and 86.4%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 82.4% and 95%, respectively. The average cost per learner screened was US$ 10.75.
School entry hearing screening programmes can be successfully implemented in the South-East District, Botswana. Lessons learnt from this study can potentially guide phased implementation of school hearing screening programmes in other districts.
评估在博茨瓦纳东南部地区实施入学听力筛查计划的可行性。
采用可行性研究设计。经过培训的筛查人员使用校准耳机，在1、2和4千赫频率下以25分贝听力级进行基于智能手机的纯音听力测定筛查。初次筛查结果为“转诊”的学生在立即重新筛查后被转诊，并安排在当地医院进行诊断性听力评估。通过与家庭多次联系鼓励其参加诊断预约。
研究参与者为来自八所公立小学的403名一年级学生。
诊断性听力评估的总体转诊率为4.7%，转诊接受率为90%。听力筛查方案的灵敏度和特异度分别为93.3%和86.4%。阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为82.4%和95%。每名接受筛查学生的平均成本为10.75美元。
入学听力筛查计划可在博茨瓦纳东南部地区成功实施。本研究吸取的经验教训可能会指导其他地区分阶段实施学校听力筛查计划。
